ABSTRACT
Objectives: COVID-19 has a significant impact on the mental health of children and adolescents including adverse consequences from quarantine or isolation. In this systematic review, we explore the impact of quarantine and isolation on psychological well-being of youth and propose a comprehensive strategy to reduce psychological burden. Methods: Three electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for relevant articles by using the following search terms: (stigma OR stigmas OR stigmatization OR stigmatization) AND (psych* OR mental OR anxiety OR depression OR stress OR insomnia OR adjustment) AND (quarantin* OR patient isolation OR isolate* OR lockdown OR lock-down OR cordon) AND (child* OR adolescent OR adolescence OR youth). Two independent reviewers performed title and abstract screening followed by full-text screening by using predetermined eligibility criteria. Data were extracted for study population, country of study, scales used to measure for outcome, summary of results, and limitations. Results: The initial search found 530 unique citations, and 10 studies were included after thorough screening. Among the included studies, the study design was cohort in 4 studies, cross-sectional in 3, and descriptive qualitative in 3. The most common diagnoses were acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder, grief, and PTSD. There was also evidence for restlessness, irritability, anxiety, clinginess, and inattention with increased screen time in children during quarantine. Conclusions: This review helps in improving the understanding of quarantine's effects on children and adolescents, such as mental health issues, stigma, physical health, education, socialization, and parental perception. We also propose interventions for quarantined children through education, information dissemination, behavioral activation, health care system response, school-based strategies, and other coping techniques. ADOL, PRE, WL